Project Overview

Project Overview

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The Seattle Department of Transportation’s (SDOT) mission is to deliver a high-quality transportation system for Seattle. Through the Northgate Bridge project, we will improve connections between the east and west sides of the Northgate community, helping knit together a neighborhood historically divided by a 10-lane interstate and maximizing the use of transit facilities.

When complete, the bridge will help connect the neighborhood’s thriving job and retail centers with the rest of the city and region.


Northgate today

The revised bridge design allows walkers and bikers to travel more efficiently between the east and west sides of Northgate.

Northgate is one of Seattle’s fastest growing areas. In addition to being a major residential and employment hub, Northgate is also:

  • 1 of 6 “urban centers” in Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan
  • Listed as a regional growth center in the Puget Sound Regional Council’s Vision 2040 regional growth management plan
  • Poised to become one of the region’s most active transit hubs with the completion of Sound Transit’s Link light rail station in 2021

The goals of the project include:

  1. Connecting services and opportunities on the east and west sides of I-5
  2. Adding a new, accessible walking/biking route in Northgate that connects to the citywide network
  3. Providing better access to regional transit, including the existing transit center and future Link light rail station

Where we’ve been

200620122014201520162017
Northgate Coordinated Transportation Investment Plan addressed safety and mobility for people walking and biking, transit, freight and automobiles in the Northgate Urban Center and surrounding neighborhoods for the next 25 years.
King County feasibility study evaluated different bridge types and alignments.
We began early planning and design with 3 bridge alternatives. By the fall, we had decided on tube/truss as our preferred bridge type.
Outreach to stakeholders, such as community clubs and councils, advisory boards, and chambers continued throughout 2015. In October, the project team hosted an open house for the public to view the bridge design.
The project was put on hold due to an independent cost validation that found the design was over budget. In response, we formed a new design team to meet our goals within our budget.
Design and environmental review have resumed in 2017. We relaunched outreach this spring and are continuing to engage with the community throughout the year as design advances.
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